Kasugai Gardens in downtown Kelowna is normally a place for reflection and tranquility. The trees and ponds are an oasis for reflection and meditation and offer an escape from the city that sits on the other side of the fence.
But on Monday, it was a place for celebration, song and music. The Japanese gardens celebrated its 25th anniversary in Kelowna and people packed the gardens for a chance to take it all in. There was a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and volunteers played the Japanese harp and taiko drums. A chorus group from Kasugai City also sang a selection of songs.
“I wanted to see what was happening. I haven’t been here for a while so I thought it was a good time to come,” said Lynne Glata.
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Others with Japanese roots soaked in the peacefulness of the downtown garden.
“It’s beautiful. This is really nicely laid out and very calming,” said Kristine Hall, who is half Japanese.
“This is my first time coming here. It’s very nice,” said Mikayla Miyashita, who is a quarter Japanese. “I really like the waterfall. Lots of the trees are pruned very nicely.”
The celebrations even attracted visitors from the other side of the Atlantic. Jans and Betsi Duns are visiting from Holland.
“It’s beautiful. It’s peaceful,” said Betsi.
Her husband Jans says he plans to come back to spend more time in the garden.
“To read a book for instance and to think about life and so on and so forth. It’s great,” Jans said.
And the feeling of serenity and calm is exactly what organizers want visitors to experience when they step through the gates.
“You always have chaos and have a problem or stress. Come to the garden and it will give you calmness and take you back to your normal feeling,” said Nagisa Wood, a member of the Kelowna Kasugai Sister City Association.
The gardens are symbolic of the ties between Kelowna and Kasugai City, Japan, says Brian Rowe, vice president of the association.
“It connects two cultures together, two wonderful cultures: Japan and Canada… and Kelowna,” Rowe said.
“It’s right here in the heart of Kelowna. It’s a wonderful escape. A lot of people in Kelowna don’t even know it’s here.”
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